What Is the Process of Becoming a Judge Advocate General?

Students of law often choose the legal profession with hopes to help people and make a difference in their community or world. Upon completing law school, these same professionals are now faced with massive student loan debt and are pressured into seeking a high-paying job in the private sector. These private sector jobs, although lucrative, are not the only option.

A career as a military lawyer serving as a Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG) in any of the five branches of government, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard can be both fulfilling and lucrative to those who work hard. These positions are highly competitive and have a thorough selection process for candidates who apply. You may wonder, “What is the process of becoming a Judge Advocate General?”

Process to Become a Judge Advocate General (JAG)

To become a Judge Advocate General (JAG), you must first graduate with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and pass a state bar exam. You must be a U.S. citizen, meet age and physical requirements, and be of good moral character. The next step in the process is to research the branches of government and the types of law you would practice in each, and apply for what meets your interests and goals. Each branch serves the following types of law:

• Air Force JAG officers often practice aspects of environmental, real property, civil, international, operational, and labor law.
• Army JAG officers focus more on criminal law, legal assistance for service members and civilians, labor law, international law, medical law, and fiscal law.
• Coast Guard JAG officers practice criminal law, military justice, operational, international activities, civil advocacy, procurement law, regulations & administrative law, legislative support, environmental law, and legal assistance.
• Marine Corps JAG officers focus on criminal litigation, operational and international law, and civil law only.
• Navy JAG officers have the most diverse offerings for an attorney. They practice all the areas from the list above, as well as maritime law.

Once you have selected the branch, you will apply for a role as a JAG officer. These roles are highly competitive, and all branches receive hundreds of applications with only a 10% hiring rate. If you are accepted, you will then move on to officer basic training, which lasts about six weeks.

After officer basic training, you will attend additional training that focuses more on military law and then begin your service. Service length varies based on the branch of the military you choose to join, and all have the risk of deployment.

Things to Consider if You Want to Be a JAG

There are many pros to becoming a military lawyer. As a JAG officer, you will be trained to practice in a variety of law, including criminal defense (courts-martial), family law, estate planning, and more.

It is unlikely that, as a new graduate, an attorney would be able to gain so much experience in such a short amount of time. JAG officers also receive competitive pay and benefits and have quick promotions. Benefits include free healthcare, housing allowances, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Becoming a JAG officer is a wonderful opportunity for many, but there are also things you should consider prior to applying. JAG officers are required to serve four years on active duty as a minimum and typically have four years on inactive status after. Military attorneys do not get to decide who they get to represent or what case they take. There are also safety concerns for those who are deployed to active combat zones and are away from loved ones.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Become a Judge Advocate General?

A: In order to become a Judge Advocate General (JAG), you must graduate from an ABA-accredited law school, pass a state bar exam, be a U.S. citizen, and meet certain age and fitness requirements. Once selected through an application process, you must pass basic officer training and military law training.

Q: How Hard Is It to Become a JAG?

A: It is very hard to become a JAG. All five branches of the military hold high standards for their military lawyers and low acceptance rates. When looking at JAG applicants, they do a “whole person” approach, meaning not only do your educational successes matter, but so do your extracurricular activities, your community service, and moral character. Additionally, you must pass fitness tests to show that you are capable of combat in case you are deployed to a war zone.

Q: Do JAG Lawyers Go to Law School?

A: Yes, all JAG lawyers must attend and graduate from an ABA-accredited law school. Military lawyers will also be giving training specific to the types of law they will be practicing during their time in service. JAG lawyers must pass a bar exam and be licensed to practice in one of the U.S. states.

Q: How Much Do JAG Lawyers Make?

A: Income varies slightly between the different military branches, but JAG lawyers make approximately $100k prior to promotions. The Navy JAG Corps starting salary ranges from $80,000 to $108,000, depending on the duty location, and offers promotions every six to 12 months. Outside of salary, additional benefits and compensation include housing and food allowances. Free healthcare and dental benefits, and most branches offer retention bonuses and education assistance for student loans.

Hire a Military Lawyer

Facing a military legal matter alone can be confusing and scary. Hire a military lawyer who understands your unique situation and knows how to defend you. If you are looking to hire a military criminal defense lawyer in California, Aaron Meyer Law is experienced in handling your military legal matters.

Our founding attorney, Aaron Meyer, has experience as a Marine Officer and JAG in the United States Marine Corps. He has served with one of the busiest trial teams in the Department of Defense and holds a record for the highest number of full jury-trial acquittals of any military attorney on the West Coast. His clients have never lost a case.

If you find yourself facing charges or a court-martial, do not try to navigate this by yourself. Aaron Meyer Law is located off of I-5 at Lake Forest Drive in Newport Beach, California. He also handles cases throughout the world and at every military installation. You need an aggressive military criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect you. Contact us today for a free consultation.